JOURNAL 


OF    A 


Young  Lady  of  Virginia 

1782. 


PRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED 

For  the  Benefit  of  the  Lee  Memorial  Association  of  Richmond, 
BY  JOHN  MURPHY  AND  COMPANY, 

No.  182  BALTIMORE  STREET, 

BALTIMORE. 

1871. 


f  £30 

075 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1871,  by 

EMILY  V.  MASON, 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


THE  following  pages  contain  a  fragment  of  the  Journal  of  a 
young  lady  of  Virginia  of  the  last  century. 

It  seems  to  have  been  written  by  her  while  on  a  visit  to  her 
relatives,  the  Lees,  Washingtons,  and  other  families  of  Lower 
Virginia,  mentioned  in  her  Journal. 

The  friend  for  whom  it  was  intended  was  Miss  Polly  Brent, 
also  of  Virginia. 

The  manuscript  was  found  torn,  and  discolored  by  age,  in  an 
old  desk  at  the  country  place  in  Maryland,  to  which  Polly  Brent 
carried  it,  upon  her  marriage  into  one  of  the  old  families  of  that 
State. 

The  Lees,  of  whom  so  much  mention  is  made  in  the  Journal  — 
"Nancy,"  "Molly,"  "Hannah,"  and  "Harriet" — were  the 
daughters  of  Richard  Henry  Lee,  of  Chantilly.  Molly  married 
W.  A.  Washington,  and  Hannah  was  —  at  the  time  of  the  Journal 
—  the  wife  of  Corbin  Washington.  Their  grandson,  John  A. 
Washington,  was  the  last  occupant  of  Mount  Vernon. 

Harriet  married  the  son  of  Mrs.  Turberville,  the  "old  lady" 
spoken  of  in  the  manuscript. 

Ludwell  Lee,  a  son  of  Richard  Henry  Lee,  married  the 
"Flora"  of  this  chronicle.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Philip 
Ludwell  Lee,  of  Stratford,  and  sister  of  Matilda  Lee,  the  first 


M18404S 


VI  PREFACE. 


wife  of  "  Colonel  Henry  Lee  ; "  whose  little  boy  is  mentioned 
as  so  "fine"  a  "child."  Colonel  Henry  Lee  was  none  other 
than  "Light-horse  Harry;"  the  "little  boy,"  his  eldest  son 
Henry,  half-brother  to  General  Robert  E.  Lee. 

It  is  believed  the  publication  of  this  Journal  will  be  well  re 
ceived,  at  a  period  when  everything  relating  to  the  family  of 
General  Lee  is  of  peculiar  interest.  It  presents,  also,  a  curious 
picture  of  the  life  and  manners  of  that  day. 

There  will  be  found  in  it  many  errors,  and  some  antiquities 
of  orthography,  which  it  has  not  been  deemed  advisable  to  cor 
rect.  It  is  believed  that  the  Journal  will  be  more  entertaining 
in  its  original  state  than  it  would  be  with  the  aid  of  any  amend 
ments  that  we  might  make.  It  is  certainly  the  work  of  a  very 
clever  girl,  and  possesses  all  that  freedom  of  style  and  charming 
simplicity  which  is  so  pleasing  and  so  rare. 

Had  the  writer  anticipated  any  criticism  more  searching  than 
that  of  her  amiable  Polly,  her  style  and  orthography  would 
doubtless  have  been  more  correct,  and  her  Journal  quite  as 
commonplace  as  most  of  those  that  find  their  way  into  print. 

The  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  this  little  volume  will  be  devoted 
to  the   "Lee  Memorial  Association  of  Richmond,"  which  must 
further  commend  it  to  the  favor  of  the  public. 
JANUARY,  1871. 


^^ 

JOURNAL 

OF   A 

YOUNG    LADY 

OF    VIRGINIA. 

FROM  LUCINDA  TO  MARCIA. 

THE  WILDERNESS,  September  16. 

1782. 

Sept.  1  6. 

T    HEAR  you   say,  "  The  Wilder- 

"  Wilder 

-*•    ness  !  where  in  the  world  is  that, 

ness" 
Residence 

Lucy  ?  "      It    is    the    name    of    this 

of  John 
Grymes, 

place.    I  can't  say  I  was  much  struck 

Esq.,  who 

with  the  situation  of  the  House;  but 

married 

Miss'Fitz- 

they  are   as  kind,  good  People  as  I 

hugh,  of 
Eagle's 

ever  saw. 

Nest.     One 

of  this 

To-day  is  Sunday.    Old  Mrs.  Gor 

family  was 

don  lives  in  sight  of  this  [place].     One 

Gen.  Robert 
Lee's  grand 

of  her  Daughters  is  just  come  —  Lucy 

mother. 

Gordon 

7 

1782. 

Sept.  17. 

Beauty. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


Gordon --very  clever,  though   not  a 


A  Mr.  Spotswood  and  his  Lady  are 
come  to  dine  here.  I  must  dress,  of 
course. 

They  are  gone. 

Mrs.  Spotswood,  I  think,  is  very  Af 
fable  and  agreeable,  though  not  hand 
some.  She  has  invited  us  to  see  her, 
and  we  shall  go  day  after  to-morrow, 

I  have  spent  the  day  pretty  agree 
ably.  Lucy  Gordon  is  to  stay  with 
me  to-night. 

I  have  spent  the  morning  in  read 
ing;  and,  much  to  my  satisfaction,  old 
Mrs.  Gordon  is  just  come  to  spend 
the  day  here.  Lucy  Gordon  and 
myself  are  just  returned  from  walk 
ing  out.  I  was  delighted  :  we  walked 
to  a  river — they  call  it  here ;  but  it  is 
very  narrow.  The  banks  of  it  are 
beautiful,  covered  with  moss  and  wild 

flowers ; 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


flowers ;  all  that  a  romantic  mind 
could  form.  I  thought  of  my  Pol 
ly,  and  thought  how  delighted  she 
would  have  been  had  she  been  a 
Spectater  of  the  scene  ;  and  how  much 
more  pleased  would  your  Lucy  have 
been,  how  more  delighted  if  she 
could  have  had  her  Polly  to  point 
out  the  Beauties  too,  and  make  her 
observations :  but  her  dear  Company 
was  denied.  Lucy  Gordon  is  a  truly 
good  Girl,  but  nothing  of  the  romance 
in  her.  So  much  the  better,  say  I ; 
she  is  much  happier  without.  I  wish 
to  Heaven  I  had  as  little.  Colonel  Ball 
dined  here  to-day :  a  very  clever  man. 

To-day  we  return  Mrs.  Spots- 
wood's  visit.  I  have  to  crape  my 
hair,  which,  of  all  things,  is  the  most 
disagreeable.  Adieu,  my  Polly,  till 
my  return. 

Well,  my  dear,  I  am  returned ;  and 

much 


1782. 

Sept.  17. 


Col.  Ball, 
probably 
the  aide  and 
kinsman 
of  Gen. 
Washing 
ton  :  his 
second  wife 
was  Frances 
Washing 
ton,  niece 
and  legatee 
of  Gen. 
Washing 
ton. 

Sept.  1 8. 


10 


1782. 

Sept.  1 8. 


Sept.  19. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


much  pleased.  Mrs.  Spotswood  is 
mighty  clever  in  her  house.  She  has 
a  Daughter,  about  twelve  years  old 
(though  very  large  of  her  age  —  she 
is  as  tall  as  I  am),  very  agreeable, 
though  not  handsome. 

They  are  at  cards  below,  and  have 
sent  for  me  to  join  them,  though  I  had 
much  rather  stay  and  converse  with 
my  Polly;  yet  politeness  obliges  my 
obeying  the  summons. 

To-day  we  dine  at  Old  Mrs.  Gor 
don's  :  I  flatter  myself  I  shall  spend 
this  day  agreeably.  This  evening 
Colonel  Ball  insisted  on  our  drinking 
tea  with  him:  we  did,  and  I  was  much 
pleased  with  my  visit;  his  Wife  was 
not  at  home. 

I  have  returned,  and  am  sitting  alone, 
writing  to  my  dearest  Polly.  I  don't 
think  I  ever  met  with  kinder,  better 
People  in  my  life;  they  do  everything 

in 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


in  their  Power  to  make  you  happy.  I 
have  almost  determined  not  to  go  to 
the  races  this  Fall :  every  one  appears  to 
be  astonished  at  [me,]  but  I  am  sure 
there  is  no  sollid  happiness  to  be  found 
in  such  amusements.  I  don't  think  I 
could  answer  for  myself  if  you  were 
to  go;  and  then  I  should  only  go  to  be 
with  you.  I  have  no  notion  of  sacri 
ficing  my  own  ease  and  happiness  to 
the  Opinion  of  the  world  in  these  mat 
ters.  They  laugh,  and  tell  me,  while  I 
am  mopeing  at  home,  other  girls  will 
be  enjoying  themselves  at  races  and 
balls;  but  I  never  will,  I  am  deter 
mined,  go  to  one,  unless  I  have  an 
inclination.  I  would  not  have  you 
think  from  this  that  I  pay  no  regard  to 
the  opinion  of  the  World  ;  far  from  it : 
next  to  that  of  a  good  conscience,  the 
opinion  of  the  world  is  to  be  regarded. 
Always  pay  due  regard  to  that. 

2  I  have 


ii 


1782. 

Sept.  19. 


12  JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 

17821  I  have  spent  this  morning"  in  read- 

Sept.  20. 

ing  Lady  Jiilia  Mandeville,  and 
was  much  affected.  Indeed,  I  think  I 
never  cried  more  in  my  life  reading  a 
Novel :  the  stile  is  beautiful,  but  the 
tale  is  horrid.  I  reckon  you  have  read 
it.  Some  one  just  comes  to  tell  us  A 
Mr.  Masenbird  and  Mr.  Spotswood  is 
come.  We  must  go  down,  but  I  am 
affraid  both  Sister's  and  my  eyes  will 
betray  us.  Adieu.  I  will  describe 
the  Gentlemen  on  my  return. 

Mr.  Spotswood  is  the  Gentleman 
we  visited  the  other  day.  I  think 
him  handsome.  Mr.  Masenbird  is  an 
Englishman,  and  single,  that  has  set 
tled  in  this  part  of  the  World.  I  had 
heard  he  was  a  very  uncouth  creature, 
but  he  is  quite  the  reverse  —  very 
polite,  not  handsome. 

Interrupted  again.  They  are  come 
to  tell  me  a  Mr.  Grimes  and  his  Lady 

arc 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


Of  the 

Nicholas 
family. 


Sept.  21. 


are  come  to  wait  on  us.     I  must  throw 

Sept.  20. 

aside  my  pen,  and  go  down  to  be  in 
troduced.  Adieu.  I  will  write  more 
when  we  retire  to  dress. 

Mrs.  Grimes  is  very  handsome, 
though  appears  to  be  a  little  proud. 
Sister  is  almost  drest;  I  shall  have 
but  little  time  to  smart  myself. 
Adieu.  My  Great-Coat  shall  be  my 
dress  to  day. 

To-day  we  return  Mrs.  Grimes's 
visit.  I  am  going  to  wear  my  straw 
dress  and  my  large  hat ;  Sister  wears 
A  blue  habit,  with  a  white  Sattin  scirt. 
Adieu.  I  have  but  little  time  to 
dress. 

I  am  returned,  and  was  delighted 
with  my  visit.  They  live  in  a  very 
genteel  stile.  She  is  one  of  the  clev 
erest  Women  I  have  seen  for  some 
time.  I  saw  there  Miss  Betty  Lee, 
and  A  Miss  Judy  Roberson  ;  the  first 

is 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


I782-  is  homely,  though  right  agreeable  - 
the  latter  is,  I  think,  rather  clever. 
You  can't  conceive  anything  more 
nice  or  genteel  than  everything]  was. 
I  never  was  more  pleased  in  my  life. 
I  am  sumrnon'd  to  supper.  Adieu, 
my  Polly ;  may  every  blessing  attend 
you !  Lucy  Gordon  is  here,  and  has 
been  ever  since  I  came.  I  like  her 
more  and  more  every  day. 
sept.  22.  To-day  wre  dine  with  old  Mrs.  Gor 
don.  Lucy  and  myself  are  going  to 
walk  over  now ;  Sister  and  Mrs.  Gor 
don  will  not  go  this  hour.  Adieu.  I 
will  carry  my  Journal  with  me. 

We  had  a  very  pleasant  walk ;  got 
a  number  of  grapes  and  nuts  in  our 
way.  Lucy  and  myself  are  going  to 
walk  in  the  Garden,  to  get  some  pink- 
seed  I  am  anxious  to  have.  The 
Gentlemen  dined  to-day  at  Mr.  Mas- 
enbird's.  Mrs.  Gordon  and  sister  are 

come : 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


come :  they  have  proposed  cards,  and 
I  am  called  to  join  them.     Adieu. 

I  would  have  staid  to-night  with 
old  Mrs.  Gordon,  but  expected  to  go 
down  to-Morrow.  Lucy  and  myself 
had  a  pleasant  walk  back.  The  mar 
ried  folks  went  on  before. 

We  have  supped,  and  the  gentlemen 
are  not  returned  yet.  Lucy  and  myself 
are  in  a  peck  of  troubles  for  fear  they 
should  return  drunk.  Sister  has  had 
our  bed  moved  in  her  room.  Just  as 
we  were  undress'd  and  going  to  bed, 
the  Gentlemen  arrived,  and  we  had  to 
scamper.  Both  tipsy! 

To-day  is  Sunday.  Brother  was' 
so  worsted  by  the  frolick  yesterday,  we 
did'  not  set  off  to-day.  Old  Mrs. 
Gordon  dines  here  to-day.  Lucy 
and  myself  are  going  to  walk  to  the 
river,  and  get  a  nosegay  of  wild 
flowers. 

We 


1782. 

Sept.  22. 


Sept.  23. 


i6 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
Sept.  23. 


Sept.  24. 


Bellcview. 

Residence 

of  Thomas 

Ludwell 

Lee. 


We  are  returned,  and  was  much 
delighted  with  our  walk.  We  went 
to  Colonel  Ball's,  and  sat  some  time 
in  the  Porch ;  they  are  from  home. 
Dinner  is  almost  ready,  and  I  have  to 
dress.  The  children  have  surrounded 
me  the  whole  evening,  as  it  is  to  be 
the  last  we  stay. 

We  are  just  going  to  take  our  leave 
of  these  worthy  People:  I  should  like 
to  stay  some  time  longer,  if  it  was 
convenient.  Adieu :  the  Chariot  is 
ready. 

Well,  my  dearest  Lavinia,  I  am 
arrived  at  Bellemew,  a  good  deal 
fatigued,  where  we  found  Mr.  Bush- 
rod  Washington  and  his  lady,  on 
their  way  down.  She  is  fonder  of  me 
than  ever;  prest  me  to  go  with  her 
to  Maryland  this  Winter.  Mr.  Phil 
Fitzhugh  is  likewise  here.  He  said, 
at  supper,  he  was  engaged  to  dance 

with 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


Chantilly. 
Residence 

of 

Richard  H. 
Lee. 


with  one  of  the  Miss  Brents  at  a  Ball 

Sept.  24. 

in  Dumfries,  but  that  it  was  only  con 
ditionally.  Mammy  has  just  sent  me 
word  she  has  a  letter  for  me  —  it  is 
from  Nancy,  I  am  sure.  Adieu. 

It  wras,  and  one  for  you  enclosed  in 
it.  Nancy  writes  me  her  Sister  Pink- 
ard  is  at  Chantilly.  It  must  be  a 
great  acquisition  to  her  happiness  to 
have  so  amiable  a  companion  as  I 
have  heard  she  wras. 

The  Company  is  all  gone,  and  I  sept.  25. 
have  seated  myself  to  converse  with 
my  Polly.  Mrs.  A.  Washington  has 
lent  me  a  new  Novel,  called  Victoria. 
I  can't  say  I  admire  the  Tale,  though 
I  think  it  prettyly  told.  There  is  a 
verse  in  it  I  wish  you  much  to  read. 
I  believe,  if  I  a'n  't  too  Lazy,  I  will  copy 
it  off  for  you :  the  verse  is  not  very 
butifull,  but  the  sense  is,  I  assure  you. 

To-day  I  have  spent  in  putting  my     sept.  26. 

cloaths 


i8 


1782. 

Sept.  26. 


Sept.  27. 

Mr.  Charles 
Lee  —  after 
ward  At 
torney-Gen 
eral  in  Gen. 
Washing 
ton's  sec 
ond  Cabi 
net  —  mar 
ried  the 
"  Nancy  " 

of  the 
narrative. 


Sept.  28. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


cloaths  to  rights  —  a  dreadful  task, 
you  will  say.  I  am  going  to  take  a 
little  airing  this  evening.  Adieu:  the 
horses  are  at  the  door. 

I  was  sitting  busy  at  work,  when 
some  one  told  me  Mr.  Charles  Lee 
was  here.  He  was  from  Chantilly ; 
and  I  flew  out  in  expectation  of  a 
letter.  What  do  you  think  I  felt, 
when,  instead  of  a  letter,  he  told  me 
my  Nancy  was  very  ill  ?  My  Polly,  I 
am  sure,  will  sympathize  with  me. 
What  would  I  not  give  to  see  her! 
but  that  is  denied  me.  I  hope  to  God 
she  is  better !  Mr.  Lee  says  they  did 
not  apprehend  any  great  danger. 

This  morning  Mr.  Lee  left  us. 
Every  time  I  see  him  I  like  him  more 
and  more.  He  has  proved  himself  a 
truly  good  Brother.  I  am  very  un 
easy  with  regard  to  Nancy  -  - 1  wish 
to  Heaven  I  could  hear  from  her. 


Mrs 


_j 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


Mrs.  Graem,  Letty  Ball,  and  Harry 
called  here  to  -  day.  Mrs. 
Graem,  poor  creature,  appears  much 
distressed  at  the  death  of  her  Children. 
When  we  come  to  consider,  I  think  it 
much  better  for  them :  but  how  sel 
dom  can  a  Mother  reason  in  this 
manner !  Cousin  Nancy  is  better,  she 
told  me  :  pray  Heaven  it  may  be  so. 

When  Mrs.  Graem  came  to-day, 
some  one  came  running  in  and  said 
the  Richland  chariot  was  coming. 
You  may  be  assured  I  flew  to  the 
door.  Oh,  how  disappointed  I  was  ! 

To-day  is  Sunday,  and  I  am  going 
to  church.  Brother  Aylett  is  going 
in  the  Chariot  with  me.  I  am  this 
moment  going  to  crape  and  dress.  I 
shall  wear  my  Great-Coat  and  dress 
Hat.  Adieu,  till  my  return. 

I  am  returned.  Mrs.  Brook,  Mrs. 
Selden,  and  Nancy  were  all  at  church 

in 


1782. 

Sept.  29. 


Richland. 
Residence 
of  Daniel 
Brent,  Esq. 

Sept.  30. 


20 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 

Sept.  30. 
Selvington. 
Residence 
of  Thomas 

Selden. 

Chatham, 
Residence 
of  William 
Fitzhugh, 
grandfather 

of  Mrs. 
Robert  E. 
Lee.     He 
afterward 
removed  to 

Ravens- 
worth,  in 
Fairfax  Co., 
when 

Chatham 
was  occu 
pied  by  his 

brother, 
Mr.  Philip 
Fitzhugh. 


in  deep  mourning.  They  were  very 
civil  to  me,  and  prest  me  to  dine  ^Sel 
vington.  Mr.  James  Gordon  is  come  to 
dinner  from  Chatham.  Mrs.  Fitzhugh 
has  sent  me  a  very  pressing  invitation 
to  go  there  this  evening,  and  to-mor 
row  to  the  races ;  but  I  have  not  the 
smallest  inclination,  and  shall  not  go. 
This  Mr.  Gordon  is  a  mighty  clever 
man-- 1  wish  you  could  see  him.  I 
saw  a  beauty  at  church,  a  Miss  Thask- 
kel.  She  has  hazel  eyes,  fine  com 
plexion,  and  Beautiful  Auburn  hair, 
which  hung  in  ringlets  upon  her  neck. 
We  were  sitting  drinking  tea  this 
evening,  when  what  should  we  see 
coming  but  Mr.  Washington's  Car 
riage.  I  was  delighted,  you  may  be 
assured.  They  were  all  mighty  well. 
I  inquired  for  you.  Cousin  Molly 
told  me  you  were  in  perfect  health, 
and  that  your  sister  Brent  and  Nancy 

Ambler 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


Ambler  were  with  you  —  then  I  sup 
pose  my  Polly  is  happy.  I  have  a  thou 
sand  Questions  to  ask  about  them, 
but  I  hope  you  will  write  me  an  exact 
detail  of  every  thing  that  happened 
while  there.  You  have  been  at  a  tea- 
drinking  lately,  in  Dumfries :  Mrs.  A. 
Washington  gave  me  the  whole  His 
tory  of  it — told  me  your  dresses,  and 
every  thing.  But  where  am  I  running 
to  ?  I  had  forgot  there  was  Company 
in  the  House,  so  happy  am  I  always 
conversing  with  my  Polly.  Adieu. 

You  will  smile,  I  am  sure,  when  I 
tell  you  what  I  am  about  to  do.  Will 
you  believe  when  I  tell  you  I  am  this 
moment  going  to  pack  up  my  cloaths 
to  go  to  Chantilly?  Adieu.  Some 
one  has  just  come  to  tell  me  your 
Brother  Richard  is  come.  I  must  go 
and  inquire  for  my  Polly. 

You  are  very  well,  he  sais.  I  shall 

give 


21 


1782. 
Sept.  30. 


Richard 

Brent, 

U.S.  Senator 

from 

Virginia 

for  many 

years. 


22 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
Sept.  30. 


October  i, 


October  2. 


give  him  your  letter  from  Nancy. 
The  Gentlemen  are  all  in  high  spirits, 
thinking,  I  suppose,  of  the  pleasure 
of  to-morrow.  I  shall  be  far  from  this 
[place]  by  that  time.  I  must  quit,  as 
the  Boys  are  come  for  me  to  get 
Sweetmeats  for  supper. 

I  must  really  take  my  pen  to  scrib 
ble  a  little  before  I  set  off.  The  Gen 
tlemen  are  just  set  off  to  the  races, 
and  I  am  preparing  to  set  off  for 
Chantilly.  Adieu,  my  Polly. 

I  have  arrived  at  Chantilly.  Nancy 
was  much  better  than  I  expected  to 
find  her.  Weakness  is  her  only  com 
plaint.  She  was  delighted  to  see  me, 
and  inquired  eagerly  for  her  dear 
Polly,  and  was  much  pleased  with 
your  letter. 

Mrs.  Pinkard  is  here  —  and  a  sweet 
Woman  she  is.  Adieu.  Nancy  says  I 
shall  not  write  more. 

I  am 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


23 


of  Philip 

Ludwell 

Lee. 


I  am  iust  up,  and  am  croingf  to  seat 

?         t  October  3. 

myself  for  Sibby  to  crape  my  hair. 

Cousin  Nancy  and  myself  have  just 
returned  from  taking  an  airing  in 
the  Chariot.  We  went  to  Stratford ' : 
walked  in  the  Garden,  sat  about  two 
hours  under  a  butifull  shade  tree, 
and  eat  as  many  figs  as  we  could. 
How  did  we  wish  for  our  dear  Polly, 
and  think  that  was  the  only  thing  we 
wanted  to  compleat  our  happiness  ! 

We  brought  to  Chan  filly  Col°  H. 
Lee's  little  Boy.  He  has  stayed  at 
Stratford  since  his  Papa  and  Mama 
went  to  New  York.  I  assure  you  he 
is  a  very  fine  child.  Dinner  an 
nounced.  Adieu. 

Nancy  is  rather  unwell  this  even 
ing;  she  is  a  little  fatigued  with  her 
ride.  Adieu.  I  must  go  and  talk,  to 
raise  her  spirits. 

To-day  I  have  been  busy  making  a 

cap. 


October  4. 


24  JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 

17821       cap.     I  don't  think  it  clever,  though  I 

October  4. 

have  spent  a  good  while  about  it. 
Nancy  and  myself  have  been  locked 
up  stairs  by  ourselves  all  day.  She  is 
better  to-day  than  she  was  yesterday. 
Oh,  my  Marcia,  how  hard  is  our 
fate !  that  we  should  be  deprived  of 
your  dear  company,  when  it  would 
compleat  our  Felicity — but  such  is  the 
fate  of  Mortals !  We  are  never  per 
mitted  to  be  perfectly  happy.  I  sup 
pose  it  is  right,  else  the  Supreme  Dis 
poser  of  all  things  would  not  have 
permitted  it:  we  should  perhaps  have 
been  more  neglectful  than  we  are  of 
our  duty. 

October  5.  Mr.  Pinkard  and  a  Mr.  Lee  came 
here  to-day  from  the  Fredericksburg 
races.  How  sorry  I  was  to  hear 
"  Republican "  was  beaten.  I  was 
really  interested  in  that  race.  Adieu. 
I  must  crape  my  hair  for  dinner. 

It 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA.  25 


It  is  a  delightful  evening.  Nancy  I782- 
and  myself  are  going  to  take  a  ride 
out  in  the  Chariot.  Oh,  my  Polly,  why 
are  you  not  here  to  join  us!  Away 
with  such  thoughts  —  they  almost 
make  me  rnelloncholy.  Nancy  calls 
me.  Adieu  again.  I  come !  I  come  ! 

We  are  returned,  and  had  a  de 
lightful  ride,  and  a  much  more  de 
lightful  tete-a-tete.  This  Lee  appears 
to  be  a  hum-drum,  disagreeable  Crea 
ture.  Tea  is  ready,  and  I  must  bid 
you  good-by. 

I  wish,   my  Polly,   you   could  see     October  6. 
Mrs.   Pinkard.     You   would   be    de 
lighted   with   her.     She    is,   I    think, 
among  the  finest  Women  I  have  seen ; 
and  is  thought  very  beautifull. 

I  have  been  very  agreeably  enter 
tained  this  evening,  reading  a  Novel 
called  Malvern  Dale.  It  is  something 
like  Evelina,  though  not  so  pretty. 

I  have 


26 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 

October  6. 


October  7. 


I  have  a  piece  of  advice  to  give 
you,  which  I  have  before  urged  - 
that  is,  to  read  something  improving. 
Books  of  instruction  will  be  a  thou 
sand  times  more  pleasing  [after  a  lit 
tle  while]  than  all  the  novels  in  the 
World.  I  own  myself,  I  am  too  fond 
of  Novel-reading;  but,  by  accustom 
ing  myself  to  reading  other  Books,  I 
have  become  less  so,  and  I  wish  my 
Polly  to  do  the  same. 

This  is  Sunday.  We  have  been 
collected  in  the  Chamber,  reading  the 
Lessons  of  the  day.  After  that,  Nancy 
and  myself  plann'd  a  ride  out  on 
horseback,  wrhich  we  are  just  going  to 
put  in  execution.  Adieu.  I  will  re 
sume  my  pen  on  my  return. 

We  are  returned.  I  can't  say  I  was 
much  delighted  with  the  ride,  as  I 
rode  a  very  hard-going  horse.  They 
had  dined  when  we  returned. 

Mr. 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


Mr.  Newton  dined  here  to-day.  I 
believe  you  know  him,  and  therefore 
need  not  describe  him.  I  have  been 
very  busy  to-day  working  a  little 
serene,  to  hold  in  my  hand  to  prevent 
the  fire  from  burning  my  face.  I 
think  it  will  be  beautifull. 

I  have  seated  myself  in  my  (w) rap 
per  to  scribble  a  little.  Mr.  Pinkard 
has  been  reading  a  Play  all  the  even 
ing  to  Nancy  and  myself.  We  were 
much  pleased  with  it.  Nancy  grows 
better  and  better  every  day — which  I 
am  delighted  at.  Adieu :  sleep  has 
closed  my  eyes. 

I  was  in  danger  last  night  of  com- 
miting  a  great  piece  of  rudeness  ;  the 
Play  Mr.  Pinkard  read  us  was  the 
Bell  Strattagem.  Mr.  Newton  was 
by  when  it  was  read.  Some  one 
ask't  him  sometime  afterwards  what 
the  Play  was.  He  said  the  Country 

Cousin. 


1782. 

October 


October  9. 


28 


1782. 


October  10. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


Coiisin.      I    thought   I    should    have 

October  9. 

burst  with  laughter ! 

The  two  Gentlemen  went  to  the 
Court-house  to-day.  Molly  and  my 
self  took  a  walk  this  evening,  and 
should  have  walk't  much  farther  had  we 
not  met  the  Gentlemen.  Mr.  Newton 
dismounted  and  walkt  home  with  us. 

I  have  seated  myself  to  give  you 
the  adventures  of  to-day.  Mr.  C. 
Washington  returned  to-day  from 
Fredericksburg.  You  can't  think 
how  rejoiced  Hannah  was,  and  how 
dejected  in  his  absence  she  always  is. 
You  may  depend  upon  it,  Polly,  this 
said  Matrimony  alters  us  mightely. 
I  am  afraid  it  alienates  us  from  every 
one  else.  It  is,  I  fear,  the  bane  of 
Female  Friendship.  Let  it  not  be 
with  ours,  my  Polly,  if  we  should  ever 
Marry.  Adieu.  Harriet  calls  me  to 
supper.  Once  more  good-by. 

Hannah 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


29 


Hannah  and  myself  were  going  to 
take  a  long  walk  this  evening,  but 
were  prevented  by  the  two  horred 
Mortals,  Mr.  Pinkard  and  Mr.  Wash 
ington,  who  seized  me  and  kissed  me 
a  dozen  times  in  spite  of  all  the  re 
sistance  I  could  make.  They  really 
think,  now  they  are  married,  they  are 
prevaliged  to  do  any  thing. 

I  am  going  to  tell  you  a  little  piece 
of  a  secret ;  but  you  must  never  men 
tion  it.  Nancy  had  an  admirer  lately 
-who  do  you  think  it  is  ?  No  other 
than  Mr.  Newton.  He  got  his  dis 
card  yesterday. 

It  is  in  the  evening.  Nancy  and 
myself  have  been  to  visit  our  little 
garden  [you  have  frequently  heard 
me  speak  of  it].  We  were  so  unfor 
tunate  as  to  make  it  on  the  side  of  the 
hill,  and  it  is  wash't  very  much.  Do 
you  visit  our  dear  pledge,  and  think 

of 


1782. 

October  1 1 . 


October  12. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
October  12. 


October  13. 


Pecatone. 
Residence 

of  Mrs. 
Turberville. 


October  14. 


of  your  Lucy  ?  How  often  do  I  think 
with  rapture  on  the  happy  hours  we 
spent  sitting  on  the  fence,  singing 
and  looking  at  the  river  with  the 
Moon  shining  on  it.  Oh,  how  beau 
tiful  it  look't!  Adieu. 

I  had  almost  forgot  to  tell  you 
that  to-morrow  Mrs.  Pinkard,  Cousin 
Molly,  and  myself  go  below  the  ferry 
to  Pecatone,  and  Mr.  Ballendine's.  I 
am  very  busy  getting  ready  for  the 
trip.  Adieu. 

It  is  in  the  evening.  There  are 
two  Beaux  just  come.  Mrs.  Pinkard 
tels  me  I  must  go  out  and  let  her 
introduce  them  to  me.  The  first  I 
am  acquainted  with :  he  is  homely, 
but  a  mighty  worthy  Man.  The 
second  I  never  saw  before  —  he  is 
tolerably  clever.  Nancy  and  myself 
are  going  to  pore  out  tea. 

I  have  but  one  moment  to  tell  you 

that 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


that  Nancy  and  myself  are  in  a  great 
hurry  dressing.  We  are  afraid  we 
shall  not  be  ready  for  breakfast,  and 
we  set  off  directly  afterwards.  This 
is  Sunday.  Cousin  Washington  and 
Nancy  go  as  far  as  the  Church,  and 
return  to  Chantilly.  Adieu,  my  dear 
Polly. 

Well,  my  dear,  we  arrived  late  last 
night  at  Pecatone.  When  I  wrote 
last  we  weare  sitting  off.  We  all 
dined  at  Doctor  Thomson's*  together. 
Mrs.  Washington  and  Milly  called 
there  in  the  evening  on  their  way  to 
Bztshfield.  I  never  saw  Milly  before. 
I  think  I  am  a  little  disappointed  in 
her  beauty.  She  is  not  so  pretty  as  I 
expected  to  find.  I  was  distressed  at 
parting  with  Nancy,  but  could  not 
persuade  her  to  corne. 

I  don't  think  you  ever  saw  Cousin 
Turberville  or  Hannah.  The  first  is 

homely, 


1782. 

October  14. 


October  15. 


*  No  mi  ni. 

Built  by 
'  Counsellor 
Carter,"  son 
of  "  King 

Carter." 

Biishfidu. 
Residence 

of 

Mr.  Wash 
ington. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
October  15. 


homely,  but  very  polite  and  hospitable 
in  her  house.  The  latter  has  not  a 
handsome  face,  but  is  a  genteel  per 
son.  They  gave  us  a  very  polite  re 
ception.  Hannah  was  dressed  in  a 
lead -couriered  habbit,  open,  with  a 
lylack  lutestring  scirt.  She  had  a 
butifull  crape  cushon  on,  ornamented 
with  gauze  and  flowers. 

I  must  bid  you  Adieu,  for  the 
Ladies  are  just  dressed,  and  I  shall 
not  be  ready  for  Breakfast 

I  am  just  returned  from  riding  out. 
While  we  were  at  Breakfast  Cousin 
Molly  proposed  a  ride  to  the  store. 
It  is  kept  by  a  Mr.  Thomson  - 
Brother  to  the  Man  it  is  said  Miss  H. 
Turberville  is  to  Marry..  According 
ly,  we  three  went  in  the  Chariot,  and 
left  the  two  Married  Ladys  by  them 
selves. 

We  have  retired  to  dress  for  dinner. 

Shall 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


33 


Shall  I  tell  you  our  dresses  ?     I  hear       1782. 

October  15. 

you  say  "  Yes."  Mrs.  P.  wears  a  bro 
cade;  Cousin  M.  her  pink  Great-Coat, 
and  I  my  pink.  Adieu.  Mrs.  P.  is 
going  to  dress  my  hair. 

Every  moment  I  can  spare  from 
the  Company  I  dedicate  to  you.  Two 
Beaux  dined  here.  Mr.  James  Thom 
son  and  Mr.  Ford.  In  the  evening 
two  more  came --Mr.  Beal  and  Mr. 
Joe  Thomson.  We  are  all  preparing 
to  dance.  Adieu:  I  hear  the  Fidle. 

We  spent  last  night  very  agreeably. 
Danced  till  Eleven.  My  partner  was 
Mr.  Beal.  This  is  a  beautiful  situation 
-the  Garden  extends  from  the  House 
to  the  river  [very  much  like  Retire 
ment}.  I  have  been  takeing  a  very 
agreeable  walk  there.  An  airing  is 
proposed  this  morning.  We  all  go 
in  Mr.  Turberville's  Coach.  Adieu: 
it  is  at  the  door. 

I  don't 


October  16. 


34 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
October  16. 


I  don't  know  when  I  Ve  been  hap 
pier  than  I  am  now.  Every  thing 
conspires  to  make  me  so.  Cousin 
Turberville  is  so  Affectionate.  .  She 
does  every  thing  in  her  power  to 
make  her  Company  happy.  I  had 
forgot  to  tell  you  Cousin  Hannah's 
dress  yesterday.  It  was  a  blue  lute 
string  habit,  taffety  apron  and  hand 
kerchief,  with  the  most  butiful  little 
hat  on  the  side  of  her  head  I  ever 
saw. 

We  are  dressing  for  dinner :  this  is 
a  ceremony  always  practiced  here.  I 
wear  my  Great-Coat. 

We  are  just  done  tea;  and  are  to 
have  the  same  Gentlemen  to  dance 
again  to-night. 

I  begin  to  want  very  much  to  see 
my  Polly.  Ah !  what  would  I  not 
give  to  obtain  that  [happiness].  It 
appears  a  year  since  the  morning  I 

parted 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


35 


parted  from  you,  and  how  long,  very 
long  will  it  be  before  I  clasp  you  to 
my  breast.  I  am  deprived  even  the 
consolation  of  hearing  from  you. 
Adieu,  my  love.  I  must  return  to 
the  Company. 

We  danced  last  night,  and  every 
one  appeared  to  be  happy.  I  can 
answer  for  your  Lucy:  her  partner 
was  Mr.  James  Thomson  —  one  of  the 
best  dancers  I  most  ever  saw.  Early 
this  morning  came  one  of  the  Miss 
Ballendine's  -  -  truly  Amiable,  I  be 
lieve,  but  not  handsome.  But  how 
prefarable  is  good  sense  and  affability 
to  Beauty :  more  pleasing  a  thousand 
times ! 

Cousin  Molly  and  Hannah  T.  have 
rode  to  Mr.  Ballendine's  to  bring  the 
other  Sister.  She  is  to  be  married 
soon  to  a  Mr.  Murfey. 

The  old  man  being  sick  that  plays 

the 


1782. 

October  16. 


October  17. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
October  17 


October  18. 


the  Fidle,  we  have  diverted  our 
selves  playing  grind  the  bottle  and 
hide  the  thimble.  Our  time  passed 
away  agreeably  enough. 

Miss  Nancy  Ballendine  would  not 
come  yesterday.  Miss  Eliza  is  still 
here;  and  a  sweet  Girl  she  is.  I  wish 
you  could  see  her:  I  am  sure  my 
Polly  would  be  pleased  with  her. 
We  have  been  taking  a  walk  together 
in  the  Garden,  and  talk't  of  my  Polly. 
She  told  me  Mr.  Macrae  intended 
paying  his  addresses  to  you  on  his 
way  up.  I  long  to  hear  if  he  has. 

We  have  the  addition  of  two  more 
Gentlemen  to-night.  A  Doctor  Har 
rington — a  handsome  man,  I  think  - 
and  an  elderly  Gentleman,  Captain 
Grigg ;  the  most  laughable  creature  I 
ever  saw.  They  tell  me  I  shall  be 
highly  diverted  at  the  minuet  he 
dances ;  and  we  intend  to  make  him 
dance  one  to-night.  I  don't 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


I    don't   think    I    ever    laugh't    so 


October  19. 

much  in  my  life  as  I  did  last  night  at 
Captain  Grigg's  minuet.  I  wish  you 
could  see  him.  It  is  really  the  most 
ludicrous  thing  I  ever  saw;  and  what 
makes  it  more  so  is,  he  thinks  he 
dances  a  most  delightful  one. 

To-day  we  go  to  Mr.  Ballendine's. 
Adieu,  my  Love. 

I  am  delighted  with  this  Family. 
They  take  delight  in  promoting  each 
other's  happiness,  and  they  do  it  effec 
tually  ;  for  I  believe  they  are  perfectly 
happy.  Mrs.  Ballendine  is  handsome 
-more  so  than  either  of  her  Daugh 
ters.  Mr.  Newton  came  this  evening 
as  we  were  at  tea. 

To-day  is  disagreeable  and  rainy. 
The  young  Ladys  have  been  showing 
us  the  wedding -cloaths  and  some 
dresses  they  had  from  London ;  very 
genteel  and  pretty.  Mr.  Newton  is 

still 


37 


1782. 


October  20. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
October  20, 


October  2 1. 


October  22. 


still  here,  and  is,  I  think,  a  very  dis 
agreeable  creature.  I  wonder  how 
Nancy  did  to  bear  with  him.  The 
young  Ladys  have  been  singing  for 
me:  they  are  mighty  obliging,  and 
sing  whenever  they  are  ask't. 

We  have  just  returned  this  morning 
from  visiting  Mrs.  Esquire  Lee. 

I  never  saw  her  before.  She  re 
ceived  us  very  graciously,  and  is,  I 
think,  rather  clever.  We  returned 
just  as  dinner  was  on  the  table.  Miss 
Nancy's  sweetheart  came  to-day.  Mr. 
Murfey  is  a  very  good  Man,  I  believe, 
but  he  is  very  homely.  Adieu,  my 
dearest. 

We  return  this  morning  to  Peca- 
tone.  Adieu. 

We  are  at  Pecatone,  and  dressing. 
There  are  several  Gentlemen  to  dine 
here.  Mr.  Thomson  has  invited  this 
Family  and  ourselves  to  drink  tea 

with 


LADY    OF 

VIRGINIA. 

39 

with  him  this  evening.  He  has  had 
a  New  Cargo  of  tea  arrived.  We  in 
tend  going,  and  I  shall  not  scribble 
again  to-night. 

We  went  to  Mr.  Thomson's;  re 
turned,  and  danced  at  night.  Mr. 
Turberville  and  Mr.  Beal  each  made 
us  all  a  present  of  a  pound  of  Pow 
der.  I  really  have  a  great  Affection 
for  Mrs.  Pinkard.  She  always  chooses 
my  head-dress,  dresses  my  hair,  and 
is  the  best  Creature  in  lending  you 
any  thing.  If  you  just  say  you  want 
a  thing,  if  she  happens  to  have  it, 
she  will  insist  on  your  wearing  it. 
Cousin  Hannah  has  a  quantity  of 
Cloaths.  She  has  put  on  every  day 
since  I  have  been  here  a  different 
dress  of  muslin,  and  all  handsome. 
Adieu,  my  best  beloved.  I  have  but 
little  time  to  scribble,  and  that  is  only 
when  we  retire  to  dress. 

We 


1782. 

October  22. 


October  23. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
October  24. 


October  25. 

Lee  Hall. 

Residence 

of  Richard 

Lee. 


October  26. 


We  were  entertained  last  night  in 
the  usual  way  —  dancing.  We  have 
just  returned  from  taking  a  delightful 
walk.  We  went  to  the  peach  orchard 
and  eat  a  great  many  line  peaches. 
They  are  seldom  met  with  this  time 
of  the  year. 

To-day  we  dine  at  Lee  Hall — that 
is,  at  the  Squire's.  To-morrow  we 
dine  at  Bushfield,  with  the  Pecatone 
Family.  Adieu  ;  I  will  write  when  I 
get  there. 

I  am  at  Lee  Hall.  Mrs.  Lee  is 
very  -polite.  We  found  a  Mrs.  Ball 
here.  She  has  the  remains  of  a  very 
pretty  Woman,  and  appears  to  have 
a  fixt  melancholy  on  her  countenance. 
I  expect  to  see  Nancy  to-morrow  at 
Bushfield  —  pray  send  I  may.  Mr. 
Beal  and  Mr.  Pinkard  are  come. 
Adieu :  I  am  called  to  supper. 

I  have  but  one  moment  to  tell  you 

we 


J 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


we  are  just  going  to  set  out  for 
B^lshfield.  Mr.  Turberville's  Coach 
is  waiting  for  us  at  the  road. 

When  we  got  here  we  found  the 
House  pretty  full.  Nancy  was  here. 
I  had  to  dress  in  a  great  hurry  for 
dinner.  We  spent  the  evening  very 
agreeably  in  chatting.  Milly  Wash 
ington  is  a  thousand  times  prettyer 
than  I  thought  her  at  first,  and  very 
agreeable.  About  sunset,  Nancy, 
Milly,  and  myself  took  a  walk  in  the 
Garden  [it  is  a  most  butifull  place]. 
We  were  mighty  busy  cutting  this 
tles  to  try  our  sweethearts,  when  Mr. 
Washington  caught  us;  and  you  can't 
conceive  how  he  plagued  us  —  chased 
us  all  over  the  Garden,  and  was  quite 
impertinent. 

I  must  tell  you  of  our  frolic  after 
we  went  in  our  room.  We  took  it 
into  our  heads,  to  want  to  eat ;  well, 

we 


1782. 

October  26. 


October  27. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
October  27. 


we  had  a  large  dish  of  bacon  and 
beaf;  after  that,  a  bowl  of  Sago 
cream;  and  after  that,  an  apple  pye. 
While  we  were  eating  the  apple  pye 
in  bed  —  God  bless  you!  making  a 


great  noise 


in  came  Mr.  Washing 


ton,  dressed  in  Hannah's  short  gown 
and  peticoat,  and  seazed  me  and 
kissed  me  twenty  times,  in  spite  of  all 
the  resistance  I  could  make ;  and  then 
Cousin  Molly.  Hannah  soon  fol 
lowed,  dress'd  in  his  Coat  They 
joined  us  in  eating  the  apple  pye, 
and  then  went  out.  After  this  we 
took  it  in  our  heads  to  want  to  eat 
oysters.  We  got  up,  put  on  our  rap- 
|  pers,  and  went  down  in  the  Seller  to 
get  them :  do  you  think  Mr.  Wash 
ington  did  not  follow  us  and  scear  us 
just  to  death.  We  went  up  tho,  and 
eat  our  oysters.  We  slept  in  the  old 
Lady's  room  too,  and  she  sat  laughing 

fit 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


43 


fit   to   kill  herself  at   us.     She   is   a       I782- 

October  27. 

charming  old  lady — you  would  be 
delighted  with  her.  I  forgot  to  tell, 
Mr.  Beal  attended  us  here.  I  have 
been  makeing  Milly  play  on  the  forti- 
pianer  for  me  ;  she  plays  very  well.  I 
am  more  and  more  delighted  with 
her.  She  has  just  returned  from  the 
Fredericksburg  races,  and  has  given 
me  a  full  account  of  them. 

I  have  been  filling  out  tea,  and  after 
that  we  took  a  walk  to  the  river  by 
Moonlight.  The  garden  extends  to 
the  river.  Nancy  observed  walking 
by  moonlight,  she  thought,  reminded 
us  of  our  absent  Friends.  I  joined  her 
in  thinking  so,  and  my  thoughts  were 
at  that  instant  with  my  Polly.  We 
returned  in  the  house,  and  I  prevailed 
on  Milly  to  entertain  us  an  hour  or 
two  on  the  forti-pianer.  We  wanted 
very  much  to  sleep  in  a  room  by 
6  ourselves 


44 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
October  27. 


October  28. 
*  Nomini. 


October  29. 


f  Beal's  — 
a  family  dis 

tinguished 

in  the 
Revolution. 
This  one  is 
probably  the 

same  who 

was   an 

officer  in  the 

war.      Died 

a  bachelor. 

October  30. 


ourselves  to-night  and  try  the  duni 
cake,  but  could  not  persuade  Nancy 
-she  was  afraid  to  sleep  in  the  room 
with  us. 

To-day,  which  is  Sunday,  we  dine 
at  Doctor  Thomson's,*  and  in  the 
evening  go  to  Chantilly.  Nancy  stays, 
and  goes  to-Morrow  with  Corbin  and 
Hannah  in  the  Pheyton.  Adieu,  my 
ever  dear  Polly. 

Chantilly.  We  got  here  late  last 
night.  In  the  evening,  at  Doctor 
Thomson's,  we  heard,  just  by,  there 
were  six  people  to  be  dipt.  We  had 
Curiosity  to  see  them,  and  accord 
ingly  went.  I  assure  you  it  is  a 
very  Solemn  Sight.  We  brought  two 
Beaux  home  with  us  —  Mr.  Bealf  and 
Mr.  Stark. 

To-day  is  rainy  and  disagreeable, 
which  will  prevent  their  comeing  from 
Bushfield.  I  have  entertained  myself 

all 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


all  day  reading  Telemachus.  It  is 
really  delightful,  and  very  improve- 
ing.  Just  as  I  have  seated  myself 
they  are  come  to  tell  me  tea  is  ready. 
Farewell. 

Mr.  Beal  is  still  here.  I  assure  you 
I  think  him  very  clever.  Nancy  is 
not  yet  come.  I  am  quite  lost  with 
out  her.  I  have  seated  myself  at 
Nancy's  desk  to  scribble  a  little - 
interrupted  already.  It  is  Cousin 
Molly.  She  is  come  to  propose 
dressing  Mr.  Pinkard  in  Woman's 
cloaths.  I  assent,  so  away  goes  the 
pen. 

Just  as  we  had  got  Mr.  Pinkard 
dress't,  came  Corbin,  Hannah,  and 
Nancy. 

Nancy  and  myself  have  just  re 
turned  from  a  delightful  walk.  What 
do  you  think  of  her?  She  sais  she 
could  almost  sware  Mr.  Beal  is  my 

slave ! 


45 


1782. 

October  30. 


October  31, 


Nov. 


46  JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782.  sjave  |        j 

Nov.  i. 

nothing  in  it;  nor  do  I  believe  he  is. 

Mr.  Pinkard  came  in  just  now,  and 
like  to  have  taken  this  from  me,  tho 
I  luckily  got  it  in  my  pocket  before 
he  could  get  it. 
NOV.  2.  To-day,  Corbin  and  Hannah  go  to 
Blenheim,  the  seat  of  Mr.  W.  Wash 
ington.  Hariot  is  going  with  them. 

How  much  do  I  want  to  see   my 
Polly !     I  hope,  by  this  time,  you  are 
almost  through  your  Book. 
NOV.  3.          To-day  the  Beaux  took  their  leave. 
Last  night  Nancy  had  a  fire  made  up 
in  one  of  the  up-stairs  rooms,  and  was 
busily  engaged  in  conversation,  when 
Mr.  Pinkard  bolted   in   upon  us  and 
overheard  part  of  our  conversation  - 
which  hily  delighted  him. 

To-morrow,  Mrs.  Pinkard,  Nancy, 
and  myself  go  to  Blenheim.  All  the 
Buskfield  Family  are  there.  How 

often 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


47 


often  do  we  wish  for  our  dear  Polly  1       1782. 
but  she  is  denied  us. 

We  are  now  at  Blenheim.  The  Nov.4. 
Hurry  of  dress  prevented  my  writeing 
before  I  sat  off.  I  am  delighted  with 
this  Family,  and  still  more  delighted 
with  Milly  Washington.  She  is  in 
deed  a  sweet  Girl. 

There  came  this  evening  a  Major 
More  Fauntleroy.  We  have  had  a 
heartty  laugh  at  him ;  he  is  a  Mon 
strous  Simpleton  ;  and  likewise  came 
this  evening  the  hopefull  Youth  - 
A.  Spotswood.  He  has  lately  com 
menced  Milly's  lover.  Nancy  and 
myself  have  been  teasin  to  get  [some 
thing]  out  of  her,  but  she  is  inflexible. 

I  have  been  very  much  entertained 
hearing  Cousin  Washington  perform 
on  the  Spinnet  Adieu,  my  Friend. 
I  can  write  no  more. 

This    is    Sunday.     We   have  just     NOV.  5. 

breakfasted. 


48 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


breakfasted.     There  came  this  morn- 

Nov.  5. 

ing  one  of  the  cleverest  young  Beaux 
I  have  seen  for  some  time  —  a  Mr. 
Turner. 

Cousin  Hannah  and  Hariet  take 
our  places  this  morning  in  the  Cha 
riot.  Nancy  and  myself  stay  till  the 
evening,  and  go  with  Mr.  Washington 
in  his  Pheyton. 

Nancy,  Milly,  and  myself  have  shut 
ourselves  in  a  room  up  stairs,  and  in- 
tend  not  to  go  down  till  summoned 
to  dinner.  The  Topic  of  our  Conver 
sation  is,  regretting  the  manner  in 
which  we  have  spent  our  past  life.  It 
will  tend  to  some  good,  you  will  say, 
if  it  will  mafe  us  mend  in  future. 

I  have,  for  the  first  time  in  my  life, 
just  read  Pope's  Eloiza.  Just  now  I 
saw  it  laying  in  the  Window.  I  had 
heard  my  Polly  extol  it  frequently, 
and  curiosity  lead  me  to  read  it.  I 

will 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


will  give  you  my  opinion  of  it:  the 
poetry  I  think  beautiful,  but  do  not 
like  some  of  the  sentiments.  Some 
of  Eloiza's  is  too  Ammorous  for  a 
female,  I  think. 

We  set  off  this  evening  for  Chan- 
ti/ty—but  the  Pheyton  wheel  broke, 
and  we  were  obliged  to  turn  back. 
Old  Mrs.  Washington  has  promised 
her  Carriage  to  us  to  go  in  the  morn 
ing. 

Chantilly.  We  sat  off  early  in  the 
morning,  and  we  reached  here  this 
morning  before  breakfast.  I  found 
Mama's  Jem  here.  How  delighted  I 
am  to  hear  of  the  Health  of  all  my 
Friends  above.  He  could  not  give 
me  any  information  about  you,  except 
that  he  believes  you  are  very  well, 
which  I  am  very  much  pleased  to  hear. 

Aunt  Lee  has  been  very  sick  for 
several  days  with  a  violent  toothache. 

This 


49 


1782. 

Nov.  5. 


Nov.  6. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
Nov.  7. 


Berry  Hill. 

A 

country-seat 

of  Thomas 

L.  Lee. 

Nov.  8. 


Nov.  9. 


This  is  a  delightful  evening,  my 
dear.  Nancy  and  myself  have  just 
returned  from  a  delightfull  walk  to 
the  river.  On  our  return  we  two 
loll'd  on  the  Sopha.  I  shall  go  up  to 
Berry  Hill  directly  the  Pheyton  is 
mended.  Mr.  Washington  is  to  carry 
me. 

To-day  Old  Mrs.  Washington  and 
Milly  came.  Nancy  and  myself  have 
been  dressing  for  dinner.  N.  looks 
handsomer  to-day  than  I  have  seen 
her  since  I  came.  Adieu.  I  have 
not  another  moment  to  scribble. 

Milly  and  myself  took  a  walk  to 
night  by  moonlight.  She  knows  you, 
she  says,  and  thinks  you  beautiful!. 

We  are  going  to  join  Nancy  and 
Mr.  Washington  in  the  dineing-room. 
Adieu,  my  beloved. 

Mrs.  Thomson,  Mrs.  Leland,  and  a 
Miss  Leland  are  all  just  come,  and 

unexpectedly 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA.  5! 

unexpectedly  too.     I  never  saw  the       I782< 

Nov.  9. 

two  last  before.  The  first  is  a  very 
clever  old  Lady,  the  latter  very  homely 
indeed.  We  are  all  going  to  dress. 
Adieu. 

Dinner  is  just  over.  Harry,  the 
Fiddler,  is  sent  for,  and  we  are  going 
to  dance.  I  had  forgot  to  tell,  Mr. 
Spotswood  came  to-day.  You  can't 
conceive  how  angry  Milly  was.  I 
soon  got  from  her  that  he  had  prom 
ised  never  to  trouble  her  again  on  the 
Subject,  and  she  was  displeased  at  his 
following  her.  Adieu  -  -  Harriet  in 
sists  on  my  going  out.  She  says  the 
fiddle  is  come.  Farewell,  my  love; 
may  Heaven  shower  blessings  on  your 
head,  prays  your  Lucinda.  I  always 
forget  to  make  use  of  our  other  name. 

To-day  Old  Mrs.  W.  goes  to  Busk-     NOV.  10. 
field ,    and    leaves    Milly   behind.     I 
have  promised  to  go  with  Milly  when 
7  she 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


1782. 
Nov.  10. 


Menokin. 

Residence 

of  Francis 

L.  Lee. 


she  goes,  if  I  don't  go  up  before  that 
time.  Hannah  and  Corbin  go  with 
the  Old  Lady  to-day.  Cousin  Molly 
and  Mr.  Pinkard  go  to  Menoken  to 
day. 

Mr.  Spotswood  took  his  leave  this 
evening;  which  Milly  rejoiced  at. 

Nancy  sleeps  up  stairs  to-night 
with  her  Sister  Pinkard.  Milly,  Miss 
Leland,  and  myself  have  the  nurcery 
to  ourselves.  We  want  Nancy  very 
much,  but  she  is  obliged  to  sleep  up 
stairs. 

I  had  forgot  to  tell  you,  the  second 
night  at  Blenheim,  Milly,  Nancy,  and 
myself  had  a  room  to  ourselves,  and 
tried  the  salt  and  egg;  but  neither  of 
us  dreamt. 

I  have  undrest  myself,  and  Sibby  is 
going  to  comb  my  hair.  Milly  and 
Miss  Leland  are  gone  in  the  Garden. 
I  propose  to  Sibby  to  go  and  frighten 

them : 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


53 


Nov.  II. 


them :  she  agrees,  and  we  are  eoinof       i;82- 

Nov.  10. 

to  put  it  in  execution. 

We  scared  them  a  good  deal.  Milly 
screamed  pretty  lustily. 

We  have  just  breakfasted.  Mrs. 
Thomson  and  the  Lelands  have  just 
departed.  We  are  going  hard  to 
work.  Milly  is  making  herself  a  very 
pretty  cap. 

Cousin  Molly  came  to-night ;  quite 
wet,  as  she  was  caught  in  a  hard  rain. 
We  shall  sit  up  very  late  to-night- 
I  trimming  my  dress,  and  the  rest 
makeing  caps.  I  expect  to  go  on 
Monday  to  Bttshfield,  with  Milly. 
Nancy  and  Molly  will  go  about  that 
time  to  Miss  A.  Ballendine's  wedding. 

What  a  surprise,  my  Polly,  have 
we  all  had  this  morning,  and  a  de 
lightful  one  too.  Before  we  were  out 
of  bed  a  servant  from  Mr.  Macarty's 
came  to  let  us  know  Aunt  Fendall  is 

arrived, 


Nov.  12. 


54 


1782. 

Nov.  12. 


McCartys, 
married  into 

the  Lee 
family,  lived 

at 
"Marmion." 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG 


arrived,  and  at  Mr.  Macarty's.  We 
are  all  invited  to  dine  there  to-day.  I 
am  delighted  at  the  thought  of  seeing 
Flora  before  I  go  up.  The  Pheyton 
is  mended,  and  I  shall  set  off  in  a  day 
or  two. 

I  am  not  going  to  Mr.  Macarty's 
to-day.  I  stay  with  Milly  W.  and 
Mrs.  Pinkard.  Aunt  Lee,  Molly,  and 
Nancy  go.  It  was  my  own  choice  to 
stay,  for  Nancy  insisted  on  my  going 
and  her  staying.  They  are  gone.  I 
drest  Nancy's  hair  —  she  really  look't 
beautiful  to-day. 

We  are  going  to  seat  ourselves  and 
hear  Mr.  Pinkard  read  a  Novel. 

Hannah  and  Corbin  are  just  come 
from  Bztshfield.  Mr.  Washington  sais 
he  shall  set  off  to-morrow. 

Milly  will  set  off  directly  after  din 
ner.  She  has  promised  to  correspond 
with  me. 

Milly  has  taken  her  leave,  and  I 
assure  you  I  was  a  good  deal  affected 
at  parting  with  her.  She  is  a  sweet 

Girl; 


LADY    OF    VIRGINIA. 


55 


Girl ;  and  told  me  at  parting  that  she 
was  preposes'd  with  the  notion  we 
should  never  meet  again.  God  for 
bid  !  I  can  write  no  more,  my  Marcia, 
for  I  have  got  to  pack  up  my  cloaths. 

I  believe  I  shall  scrible  a  little  more 
to-night,  if  they  should  bring  Flora 
home  with  them,  if  it  is  only  to  give 
you  my  opinion  of  her. 

Well,  my  dear,  they  are  come,  and, 
as  I  expected,  brought  Flora  with 
them.  She  is  very  genteal,  and  wears 
monstrous  Bustles.  Her  face  is  just 
as  it  always  was.  You,  my  dearest, 
that  posses  a  great  deal  of  Sencibility, 
would  have  supposed  she  would  have 
been  delighted  to  see  me  —  far  from 
it,  I  assure  you.  She  saluted  me  just 
as  if  I  had  been  a  common  acquaint 
ance,  and  was  not,  I  thought,  at  all 
glad  to  see  me ;  but  I  suppose  it  is 
fashionable  to  affect  indifference.  I 
hope,  my  dearest,  we  shall  always  stear 
clear  of  such  unnatural  Fashions. 
She  received  Nancy  in  the  same 

manner; 


1782. 

Nov.  12. 


1782. 

Nov.  12. 


JOURNAL    OF    A    YOUNG    LADY. 


manner;  that  dear  Friend  and  my 
self  have  just  returned  from  a  walk  in 
the  Garden --the  last  we  shall  take 
for  some  time,  I  am  afraid. 

Dear  Mrs.  Pinkard  sets  off  this 
morning,  and  Cousin  Molly  goes  as 
far  as  Peccatone  with  her. 

The  arrival  of  Flora  has  prevented 
Nancy  from  going. 

I  have  just  taken  a  last  farewell  of 
my  dear  Mrs.  Pinkard  —  did  I  say  a 
last  farewell  ?  I  hope  not.  I  should 
be  unhappy  did  I  think  it  a  last  fare 
well. 

Mr.  W.  and  myself  have  defer'd  set 
ting  off  till  the  evening,  and  then  we 
go  as  far  as  Blenheim  to-night.  .  .  . 


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